Delta Boeing 757 with 206 Onboard Aborts Takeoff in Atlanta

On January 10, 2025, a Delta Air Lines Boeing 757 with 206 passengers and crew was evacuated on the tarmac at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport following an engine issue that forced an aborted takeoff. 

During the evacuation, four minor injuries were reported, with one individual transported to the hospital for further treatment.

The Incident

The Boeing 757-300 was operating flight DL2668, bound for Minneapolis, and was accelerating for takeoff on runway 09L when pilots detected an issue with the starboard engine, a Pratt & Whitney PW2043, at approximately 85 knots ground speed. 

Acting swiftly, the crew rejected the takeoff and brought the aircraft to a stop roughly 1,800 meters (5,900 feet) down the runway near taxiway S. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed the incident and issued the following statement.

“The crew of Delta Air Lines Flight 2668 aborted takeoff at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport around 9:05 a.m. local time on Friday, Jan. 10, due to a reported engine issue. Passengers exited the aircraft on the runway. The FAA will investigate.”

Eyewitness footage showed fire crews responding immediately to extinguish flames in the starboard engine as passengers evacuated the aircraft using emergency slides.

Evacuation and Injuries

After aborting the takeoff, all those onboard exited the Boeing 757-300 via slides on both sides of the aircraft. Despite the swift execution of emergency procedures, four individuals sustained injuries during the evacuation process, including one who required hospitalization.

Delta Airlines released a statement apologizing for the disruption and commending the quick response of the flight crew and emergency personnel.

Passengers on board described the moments of the aborted takeoff as tense but expressed gratitude for the crew’s professionalism. “You could feel something was wrong during takeoff, but the crew acted quickly and kept us informed,” one passenger said.

Aircraft and Investigation

The aircraft involved in the incident, a 21-year-old Boeing 757-300 with registration N589NW, will undergo a thorough inspection to assess the engine malfunction. 

The FAA has launched an investigation to determine the cause of the engine failure and evaluate whether additional safety measures are needed.

While the circumstances were alarming, the quick actions of the pilots and first responders helped avert a more serious outcome. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport operations resumed shortly after the aircraft was cleared from the runway.

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